Comments on: Which is the Best / Easiest Phone Credit Card Reader?

By: Cat

Cat — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 16:08:17 +0000

In reply to Myra. Hi Myra..how did you get PP to send you a chip reader for free? I have the swipe reader, but they charge for the chip reader. Thanks!

By: Marnet

Marnet — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:09:40 +0000

I have a Samsung Note 8 and use the Square with it. So easy and I’ve never had a problem in the 3 years I’ve been using it. I have the little flat box that reads the chips and they (Square) suggest this is the best because of frauds. Go for the Square! I recommend it highly.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:46:31 +0000

Thanks for all of your comments! I will probably try Square for this craft fair and also check into Pay Pal card reader.

By: Patricia C Vener

Patricia C Vener — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 22:35:04 +0000

I recently bought the Square chip card reader for $49 USD. I wish I had enough sales to warrant it, but I’m sure I will at some point. I had previously used the old free reader but given how things are changing, I want to extra security of the chip reader.

By: Myra

Myra — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 01:24:00 +0000

I tried Square but I found too many problems and poor customer service. I moved to Paypal and have been happy ever since. I’ve done outdoor and indoor shows as well as with wifi for my home showroom sales. I use their chip reader, which they sent me for free, and it has been great. There is NO monthly fee for Paypal as someone mentioned earlier.

Their customer service too is great. Real humans are helpful and always seem to solve whatever issue I call about. I’ve been using them for the last 10-12 years. I ship most of my sales online and it’s easy to track orders from Paypal’s summary page. The money goes directly into my paypal account. I can have it transferred to my back whenever I need it. Hopefully, Square has improved what they were lacking when I first tried them, but now there is no reason to switch back.Why not call both Paypal and Square to ask them the difference between the two companies. They know their competition is tight so should do their best to convince you that your needs will best be met by the one you’re talking to at the moment. Have a great holiday season with lots of sales!

By: Jean Foggo Simon

Jean Foggo Simon — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 17:14:34 +0000

I, too, have used Square for years – like everyone else has commented – there are no problems, money in bank next day and there is the 2.75% charge. I am grateful for just having the opportunity to take credit cards at events.

By: Becky Jamin

Becky Jamin — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 01:37:45 +0000

I’ve been using the Square POS system. It works great for me.

By: Cazi

Cazi — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 23:33:38 +0000

I use Square and it’s easy peasy. No problems.

By: Patt Sheldon

Patt Sheldon — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 18:56:42 +0000

I’ve used Square for quite a few years. I compared several different options before choosing it and found their rates were better for me because, although some companies (Paypal?) took a lower percentage, they charged a minimum monthly fee. Since I only do a few shows per year, I didn’t want to be charged for not using the reader. At the end of the year, I can see exactly what I made and how much went to sales tax.
If you’re not happy being charged 2.65% or whatever it is now for purchases, consider adding that to your prices so you’re not losing.
I bought the chip reader a few years ago and it’s great. I think customers appreciate knowing we’re using the chip because it’s supposed to be safer.

By: Karen Swartz

Karen Swartz — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 16:35:45 +0000

I’ve been using Square since I started about two years ago. I’ve never had a problem with it. The money seems to get into my account quickly, it’s easy to use and I’ve been happy with it. Most of my fellow vendors seem to use Square as well. I’ve also used the invoicing system for orders that I need to mail and that’s worked great. I’ve seen a few of the PayPal thingee (technical term) but it seems like Square is the most popular.

By: Karen S

Karen S — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 16:35:06 +0000

In reply to Melissa. I use pay pal stripe or chip reader on my tablet. Can also be used on iPhone. Cost is under $30 for reader. They take less than square for traction’s. Check them out before you decide.

By: Missy Rogers

Missy Rogers — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:45:27 +0000

I also have used Square swipe for a few years and I think the app is easy to use (I have an iPhone). There were times I couldn’t get a good swipe on a card but you can still manually run the card by typing up the card info (number, expiry date, code on the back, and entering buyers zip code). At shows I do, I haven’t really seen any others yet although I started with an Etsy card reader which is no longer offered by Etsy since they have teamed up with Square.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:16:39 +0000

In reply to Duane Aldrich. Thanks for these important insights, Duane.

By: Duane Aldrich

Duane Aldrich — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:11:03 +0000

When I first started doing craft shows about 8 years ago I checked out several and found they were all comparable in the fees, but Square seemed to have the best customer service and got your money in your account fastest. Square also has a register app where you can set up your products by type even give them SKUs if you want. The nice thing is if you use the register for all your sales you can run reports to see what items sell better or better shows. We usually run a report before going to a show to see what sold well at that show the year before so we can stock up.

By: Dianne Jacques

Dianne Jacques — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 11:29:55 +0000

Hi Pam, I have the square reader and used it for years. I even had the Square register stand, printer, etc for my brick and mortar and loved it. The $ was always in the bank the next business day. I now use the Shopify reader with swipe and chip as I have opened a Shopify site…and love that too! There are fees for each as far as processing charges. I still use my Square on occasion.
Best of luck!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 10:49:19 +0000

In reply to Rena Klingenberg. Thank you, Rena! I will!

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 02:51:48 +0000

In reply to Melissa. Melissa, wishing you all the best at your November show! Let us know how it goes.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 02:22:58 +0000

I just got the free Square reader after interviewing several artists at fairs who use them – although one mentioned the service fees as high (2.75% per transaction) all (including that one) raved about the convenience. I am (hopefully) going to try mine for real tomorrow during a little trunk show (fingers crossed for sales!) – I tested it tonight on my husband’s cc and it was just fine once I got the hang of the swiping action. If it works, I may spring for the $49 chip reader for my own (and first) show in November. Good luck!